Health care overhaul brings challenges
When historians write the book on how President Barack Obama's health care overhaul became law, they'll need to leave space for some unlikely advocates: lobbyists for the drug, insurance and hospital industries.

Review: A $499 e-reader that opens like a book
NEW YORK - E-book readers are a fun category of gadgets, because their shape is not yet set in stone. While one laptop is much like the other, manufacturers are still experimenting with e-readers, trying to figure out how best to take the book into the digital age.

Universities scramble to accommodate federal student loan reform
WASHINGTON - As landmark higher education legislation neared final congressional approval this week, hundreds of colleges and universities were racing to overcome a major logistical challenge: switching within three months from private lenders to the Education Department as their provider of federal student loans.

Small businesses need a disaster plan, a plan B and a plan C
Small-business owners in the Upper Midwest have just gone through a disaster preparation drill as the Red River rose and threatened to repeat last year's catastrophic flooding. The region dodged a bullet this time, but more floods may well come, and other parts of the country could see tornadoes and hurricanes.

China last nation to lift U.S. pork ban
DES MOINES, Iowa - Nearly a year after nations banned U.S. pork over fears about swine flu, China has become the last one to lift its embargo and is expected to accept shipments by early next month.

Ear Nose & Throat Associates of Lubbock expands to new location
Ear Nose & Throat Associates of Lubbock, has relocated to 3802 22nd Street, Suite 200 on the northwest corner of 22nd and Memphis. The new building has allowed the practice to expand the services they offer as well as see an increased number of patients.

Learn about benefits of assisted living with a visit to Wedgewood South
Wedgewood South is a non-profit, faith-based assisted living community operated by Lutheran Social Services, Inc., and is able to be responsive to the care needs of residents. Care truly comes from the heart at Wedgewood South, where the focus is on promoting the best quality of life. At Wedgewood South, residents’ needs and desires always come first.

Get granite from Ortega Kitchen & Bath by Venetian Marble of Lubbock
Now is the time to contact Ortega Kitchen and Bath by Venetian of Lubbock to select the perfect granite countertops for your home. Currently they are featuring exotic granite. With unique and unusual patterns and colors or high movement, this is not the run-of-the-mill granite.

You are paying too much! Ask your neighbor
As the cost of living continues to rise, so does the cost of good health care. You know that your Medicare Supplement insurance is going to have a rate increase, but what do you do when it becomes so expensive you can no longer afford it? You get mad and start shopping around for something less expensive. But how do you know which company to choose?

You can save big with pre-owned, reconditioned tools from ReTool
ReTool, located at 5004 50th St., telephone 792-3721, buys, sells and trades all types of new and used tools – from hand tools to table saws. The store also sells a variety of reconditioned lines. When you need tools for any project, check with ReTool and save!

Quick Comment
Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki is taking much-needed steps in the right direction by forcing the VA to computerize its files. Without a system overhaul, the VA estimates its backlog of disability claims will increase tenfold by 2015. Those with service-connected injuries wait five months or more to have a claim processed.

Teenwise: Teens realize, consider the dangers of sexting
Like every other teen in the world, 18-year-old Marissa Coronado spends a large amount of her time texting. She considers her phone a fun and easy way to communicate and stay in touch with the world. However, she never imagined that a cell phone or a simple text message could be so detrimental to someone's life. She had a rude awakening this year.

HSC Teen Straight Talk program open
Teen Straight Talk - a free program designed to motivate adults and their teens and preteens to talk about topics like abstinence, teen pressures, sex education and responsible decision making - will be presented from noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center Academic Classroom Building Room 150, 3601 Fourth St.

Trinity Church's planned renovation reflects needs of congregation
To Pastor Carl Toti, church should be more than just a place people meet for an hour on Sundays. So Trinity Church is expanding to do just that. The nondenominational Christian church will include a new or remodeled chapel, worship center, children's education area and a coffee shop. Construction on the multimillion-dollar renovation is

The A-J second in class in state
The Texas Associated Press Managing Editors named The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal the second best newspaper in the state in its category for its staff's work during the past year.

Lubbock churches work
to seize Easter
opportunities
On the average Sunday, the Rev. Jim Haney, rector of St. Paul's on the Plains Episcopal Church, knows his congregation. He can assume it's composed of weekly churchgoers, devout Christians, familiar with the Bible.

Passover a time to join in tradition
Andrew Friedman's plane had just departed his home town of Houston when a gold Star of David hanging on a chain around the neck of a young woman caught his eye. He asked the woman where she was from. She said Lubbock, his destination, where he would soon begin a graduate program at Texas Tech. He asked if she minded him asking if she was Jewish. She said she was.

Banquet to honor those who brighten kids' lives
The people, programs and policies that are helping build better futures for children, will be honored with a banquet highlighting the Week of the Young Child from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 14 at Lubbock Country Club.

Play about Jesus as gay canceled
STEPHENVILLE - The performance of a play that portrays Jesus as gay has been canceled at Tarleton State University amid what school officials say are "safety and security concerns."

Obama can seize momentum after biggest week of presidency
WASHINGTON - Doubted and deeply in need of a comeback, President Barack Obama had a political dream week: a historic remaking of America's health care system, an overhaul of how students pay for college and a groundbreaking deal with Russia to shrink nuclear arsenals.

Minnesota lawyer has long pursued church
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Jeff Anderson has filed thousands of lawsuits alleging sex abuse by priests and won tens of millions of dollars for his clients, but he has had a bigger goal in mind for nearly two decades. He wants to bring his career-long legal crusade against misconduct in the Roman Catholic Church right to the top.

Many felony cases of pot getting tossed out of court
SAN FRANCISCO - Police in a northern California town thought they had an open-and-shut case when they seized more than two pounds of marijuana from a couple's home, even though doctors authorized the pair to use pot for medical purposes.

NM environment head wants feds out
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico's environmental secretary wants the National Nuclear Security Administration removed from environmental cleanup and surveillance programs at Los Alamos National Laboratory, saying the agency has had a "troubled history" in implementing a 2005 consent decree over cleanup.

Most Chinese adoptees now special-needs kids
NEW YORK - Not long ago, the choices facing Robert and Julie Garrett would have been simpler. Once they set their hearts on adopting a child from China, the odds were high they could soon bring home a healthy infant girl.

Death NoticesMargaret Barbee, 80, of Lubbock died March 28, 2010. Services are pending with Sanders Funeral Home.

LaVoyle Parker
Services for LaVoyle Parker, 83, retired dance teacher of Lubbock, will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 30, 2010 in the Franklin-Bartley Chapel. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park.

Sarah M. Reed
Sarah M. Reed, of Lubbock, went home to her Lord on March 25, 2010 at the age of 89.

Richard Sainz
Richard Sainz, 33, of Lubbock and formerly of Levelland, went to be with our Lord on March 25, 2010 in Lubbock.

Shirley Marie Shuffield
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Shirley Marie Shuffield will be held at 2 p.m., Monday March 29, 2010 at Southcrest Baptist Church, with Dr. David Wilson officiating. A reception to greet family and friends will follow in the Parlor of Southcrest Baptist Church.

Mack Thomson
Services for Robert McKinney "Mack" Thomson will be at 2 p.m. Monday, March 29, 2010 at Meadow Church of Christ with Bob DuPont officiating.

Frances Wood
Celebration of Life services for Frances Wood, 89, of Cleveland and formerly of Lubbock, will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, March 29, 2010 at Resthaven's Mausoleum Chapel, with Dr. Ken Horn officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. The family will receive friends and relatives from 5 to 7 p.m. this evening at Resthaven Funeral Home.

Eufa Grace Woodward
Funeral services for Eufa Grace Woodward, 94, will be at 2 p.m. today in Sanders Memorial Chapel, with Reverend John Ballard officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home immediately following the service until 4 p.m. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m., Monday, March 29, 2010 at Resthaven Memorial Park under the direction of Sanders Funeral Home.

Violet Adamietz
Violet Adamietz, a registered nurse who worked in the public sector for more than 30 years, began her journey March 26, 2010, in Arlington, Texas. She was 90 years old.

Watson Childers, Jr.
Watson Childers, Jr. was born on March 1, 1930 in Falls County, Texas, and passed away in March 24, 2010, in Lubbock, Texas, at the age of 80.

"Tommy" Tomas Jesus Casarez
Rosary for "Tommy" Tomas Jesus Casarez, 63, of Lubbock, will be this evening at 7 p.m. at Calvillo Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Monday, March 29, 2010 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, with Mgsr. David Cruz officiating. Burial will be in the City of Lubbock Cemetery under the direction of Calvillo Funeral Home.

Larry Wayne Faulkner
Funeral services for Larry Wayne Faulkner, 52, of Levelland, will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at George Price Funeral Chapel, Levelland, with O. E. Davidson, minister of the Milam County Church of Christ in Rockdale, Texas, officiating. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Park, Lubbock, Texas, under direction of George Price Funeral Home. He died on Friday, March 26, 2010 in Levelland. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home this evening from 6 until 8 p.m.

Syble Harris
Services for Syble Harris, 90, of Ropesville, will be Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at 2 p.m. at the Ropesville United Methodist Church, with Reverend Bill Titus officiating. A private burial will follow at the City of Lubbock Cemetery under the direction of Franklin-Bartley Funeral Home. Her family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. this evening at the funeral home. Mrs. Harris died on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at Bender Terrace.

Patsy Lee Lemons
"To love and be loved" was the desire of her life and Patsy gave and received it in abundance.

J. Glenn Clarkson
J. Glenn Clarkson, age 78 of Pearland, passed away on March 24, 2010. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter & Minnie (Stevenson) Clarkson.

Helen Harbin
Funeral services for Helen Doris (Holt) McGaughy -Jones-Harbin, 83, of Lubbock, will be 2 p.m., Monday, March 29, 2010 in the W.W. Rix Chapel. Visitation will be this evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Mrs. Harbin died Saturday, March 27, 2010 at Covenant Medical Center.

Wesley "Wes" Richard Tunnell
Celebration of Life services for "Wes" Richard Tunnell, 88, of Lubbock, will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at Calvary Baptist Church, with Rev. Gene Hawkins officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. The family will receive guests this evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Resthaven Funeral Home.

Raymon Lee Long
Raymon Lee Long was born on Jan. 2, 1926, in Friendship, OK to Joseph Raymon Long and Essie Lee Marion. He was raised in Childress, TX and graduated from Childress High School in 1942. On Dec. 27, 1943 he married Norma Bennett of Paducah.

Reeves making name in limited role
Connie Yori thought Lindsey Moore could do more. During one particularly intense practice this fall, the Nebraska women's basketball coach singled out the freshman guard, haranguing her throughout the session about working harder and running the floor better.

Rangers set rotation, option a few others
SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Texas Rangers rewarded one of their own Saturday, naming right-hander Scott Feldman the opening day starter for the 2010 season. He will be followed in the rotation by RHP Rich Harden, LHP C.J. Wilson, RHP Colby Lewis and LHP Matt Harrison.

Desperate
Flames crush Caps
WASHINGTON - Having reached the desperation point in their bid to make the playoffs, the Calgary Flames no doubt wish they could get bonus points for a dominating road win against the top team in the league.

LCHS sweeps behind Horton's pitching, bat
Lubbock Christian High scored a run in the bottom of the seventh to beat Tahoka 5-4 Saturday, then rode a 10-run first inning to a 12-10 triumph against Haskell in softball at PlainsCapital Park.

Reed's relief pitching lets Coronado split with LHS
Coronado had already suffered its first loss in District 2-5A play, and the outcome of Saturday's second game was still in the balance as Garrett Reed trotted out to the mound in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Duke, coach Krzyzewski back in Final Four
Duke restored some order to a topsy-turvy NCAA tournament on Sunday, getting 29 points from Nolan Smith in a 78-71 victory over Baylor that put Coach K and the Blue Devils in college basketball's biggest event for the first time in six years.

Kroll powers Chaparrals
Lubbock Christian University first baseman Doug Kroll capped an impressive weekend with two home runs and five runs batted in, leading the Chaparrals to a 14-3 win on Saturday and a series sweep of Sooner Athletic Conference foe St. Gregory's.

Gators' Meyer apologizes to reporter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Florida coach Urban Meyer apologized Saturday to the reporter he berated earlier this week for publishing a quote by one of his players.

Taylor hits for cycle as Pirates win in rout
WOODROW - Adam Taylor hit for the cycle and drove in five runs on Saturday, and Chadd Bednarz went the distance on the mound to lead Cooper to a 15-5, run-rule victory against Borger in a District 1-3A baseball game at Pirate Field.

Fort Goliad reminds of Texas' past
GOLIAD - "Remember Goliad!" joined "Remember the Alamo!" as the battle cries of Gen. Sam Houston's men their rout of the Mexican army to form the short-lived Republic of Texas.

New season means new tubing rules
NEW BRAUNFELS - Tubers who enjoy an exhilarating ride in the back of an outfitter's pickup to reach the Guadalupe or Comal River may be disappointed this year. The open-air rides won't be allowed.

AP Exclusive: `Smart' meters have security holes
Computer-security researchers say new "smart" meters that are designed to help deliver electricity more efficiently also have flaws that could let hackers tamper with the power grid in previously impossible ways.

U.S. troop deaths, wounded surge amid offensive in Afghanistan
KABUL - The number of U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan has roughly doubled in the first three months of 2010 compared to the same period last year as Washington has added tens of thousands of additional soldiers to reverse the Taliban's momentum.

Voodooists honor Haiti quake dead
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - Hundreds of Voodoo practitioners chanted, prayed and pounded drums Sunday to honor earthquake victims in an unusually public ceremony for a religion most often celebrated in private homes.

Allawi starts negotiations in Iraq
BAGHDAD - The secular challenger who stunned Iraq with his razor-thin parliamentary election win turned his attention to negotiations over a future government Saturday even as supporters of the prime minister vowed to fight the results.

Obama still committed to Afghans
KABUL - Under elaborate secrecy, President Barack Obama slipped into Afghanistan on Sunday near the front lines of the increasingly bloody eight-year-old war he is expanding and affirmed America's commitment to destroying al-Qaida and its extremist allies in the land where the 9-11 plot was hatched.